Big bags are definitely back this Fall and Winter, which is ideal when you’re looking for a something to carry along with you to the office, a meeting, work-related event, or a job interview. After all, stuffing folders, laptops, books, binders, and other work items into your regular bag can be a pain and might even ruin important documents. And you’ll definitely want to have as much stuff with you as possible in any work or job-seeking situation to look like you’re “right on top of that, Rose”, without looking like a disorganized mess.
Isn’t it a drag to have to put your favorite summer pieces away once it starts to get cold? This summer has certainly seen its share of fun trends, but it’s no reason to send your wardrobe into a complete upheaval the second you spot the first brown leaf on the sidewalk. Here are some awesome summer picks that can easily be translated into fall.
Summer is a great opportunity to lighten your handbag load: refuse the giant, over-burdened totes, heavy shoulder bags, or laptop cases. Instead, spend your weekends carrying only the bare essentials on your person: cash, ID, cellphone, lipgloss. It’s tough taking a long sunny bike ride with a designer handbag swinging from your shoulder–trust us, we’ve tried it. In summer, we try to live by a simple motto: “hands-free is the way to be.”
By now you may have noticed our teensy weensy obsession with leather/canvas. It may not be the most fashion forward of choices, but when it comes to durability, nothing can beat this classic combo. Century-old workwear brand, Filson, has been producing these super hardy totes for as long as anyone can remember. Best of all? The worse you treat ‘em, the better they look.
This is the time of year when we start thinking about escapes. It’s cold outside, iced coffee doesn’t taste good anymore, and our boots are always a mess. The weekend is our only hope to get out the city and get some much needed R&R.
Nothing perks up a slow winter afternoon like a quick visit to Kate Spade’s Broadway Boutique, where it’s always blue skies and 71 degrees–as far as the sales people are concerned. Just take a gander at her signature Darcy Striped tote and we guarantee you’ll be fighting the urge to wear boat shoes into the snow and slush.
One of our all time-favorite warm weather accessories is the classically chic canvas tote. Simple, understated, and fabulous in a Jane Birkin kind of way, you’ll never go wrong with a no-fuss, machine-washable handbag.
This season, the trendy leather handbags from Valentino took the prize for outlandish–albeit drop-dead gorgeous–design. We have pictures of the “Rose Vertigo” bags stapled to our bulletin board, and occasionally glare at them, knowing that their $2500 price tag plants them firmly out of our shopping reach.
For shoulder bags, we’re fans of the classic square or “bowler bag.” They’re not especially trendy, which in this case is a good thing since you’ll keep it dangling from your arm that much longer. Where color is concerned, go with your gut: if you’re a bright-color person and use a lot of bold color in your closet, try a red or cobalt blue handbag. If, on the other hand, you tend to be a bit more reserved in your fashion palette, stick to can’t-miss blacks, greys and browns.
“Indie” tote bags have been gaining in popularity ever since the recession hit, when suddenly that Givenchy hobo you were saving up for looked, well, a bit ludicrous. Generally priced between $300 and $800, designers like Rebbecca Minkoff, Alex Wang, and Botkier are all known for their affordable, stylish, and generally durable handbags that don’t require three months rent to even get in the ball park.
